DBasia.news – Approaching the start of the 2022 World Cup matches, we will try to dissect the competition in the group phase. The eight existing groups promise a different kind of competition.
The 2022 World Cup will take place in Qatar from November 20 to December 18. A total of 32 participating teams that competed in the final round have been determined.
FIFA also held a group stage draw in early April. As a result, competition in eight different groups is predicted to be fierce and tight.
In this first article, we will discuss the competition in Group A which is occupied by Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands. Here’s a summary:
1. Qatar
Qatar is a debutant at the 2022 World Cup. The team from the Middle East qualify automatically for the finals because of its status as the host.
This condition actually makes Qatar’s strength untested. Moreover, Felix Sanchez’s team has not experienced appearing in this tournament.
But Qatar has the potential to be a dark horse. The host is familiar with the battlefield and weather is their main weapon.
The preparation of the Qatar national team for this event is also no joke. The success of winning the last edition of the Asian Cup in 2019 strengthened their confidence.
Coach: Felix Sanchez
Key Players: Saad Al Sheeb, Abdelkarim Hassan, Hassan Al-Haydos, Akram Afif, Almoez Ali
Captain: Hassan Al-Haydos
Qatar National Team Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Saad Al Sheeb, Yousef Hassan, Meshaal Barsham.
Defenders: Ro-Ro, Abdelkarim Hassan, Tarek Salman, Musab Kheder, Abdelkarim Hassan, Almahdi Ali Mukhtar, Abdurahman Abubakar.
Midfielders: Abdulaziz Hatem, Karim Boudiaf, Boualem Khoukhi, Magid Mohamed, Ali Assadalla, Ahmed Abdul Maqsoud, Khalid Abdulraouf, Khalfan Ibrahim, Mohammed Muntari.
Attackers: Meshal Abdullah, Hassan Al Haidos, Ismaeel Mohammad, Mohammed Tresor Abdullah.
2. Ecuador
Ecuador continued to advance to the World Cup finals in the 2022 edition. This happened after finishing fourth in the qualifying round for the South American zone.
This will be Ecuador’s fourth participation in the World Cup finals. The team managed by Gustavo Alfaro will try to get past the last 16 which is their highest achievement in this tournament.
Ecuador’s opportunity to advance from the group stage is quite open. The combination of a lot of young players with experienced players is their strength.
La Tri also has a series of players who take part in Europe. This is Ecuador’s capital to compete with three other teams in group A.
Coach: Gustavo Alfaro
Key Players: Piero Hincapie, Pervis Estupinan, Moises Caicedo, Gonzalo Plata, Enner Valencia
Captain: Enner Valencia
Ecuador National Team Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Jorge Pinos, Hernan Galindez, Wellington Ramírez.
Defenders: Luis Fernando Leon, Robert Arboleda, Xavier Arreaga, Pervis Estupinan, Byron Castillo, Felix Torres, Angelo Preciado, Diego Palacios, Piero Hincapie.
Midfielders: Danny Cabezas Bazan, Carlos Gruezo
Sebastian Mendez, Joao Rojas Lopez, Jose Cifuentes, Alan Franco, Gonzalo Plata, Moises Caicedo, Michael Carcelen, Djorkaeff Reasco.
Forwards: Renato Ibarra, Enner Valencia, Romario Ibarra, Angel Mena, Michael Estrada F, Jeremy Sarmiento, Jordy Caicedo.
3. Senegal
Senegal are the main focus of the African continent at the 2022 World Cup. Sadio Mane and his team are predicted to be one of the most dangerous dark horses in this tournament.
Senegal stepped into Qatar with high confidence. The African Cup of Nations title earlier this year was the main reason.
Aliou Cisse’s team also has many players who are shining in Europe. This makes Senegal not only rely on physicality but also technique and tactics.
Senegal deserves to be one of the favorites to represent Group A in the knockout phase. They certainly want to surpass their achievements in the 2002 edition when they advanced to the quarter-finals.
Coach: Aliou Cisse
Key Players: Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Idrissa Gueye, Fode Ballo-Toure
Captain: Kalidou Koulibaly
Senegal National Team Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Alfred Gomis, Seny Dieng, Aliou Badara Faty.
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly, Pape Abou Cisse, Abdoulaye Seck, Abdou Diallo, Fode Ballo-Toure, Saliou Ciss, Bona Sarr, Ibrahima Mbaye.
Midfielders: Pape Sarr, Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye, Nampalys Mendy, Cheikhou Kouyate, Mamadou Loum, Moustapha Name, Joseph Lopy, Mame Thiam.
Forwards: Ismaila Sarr, Boulaye Dia, Habib Diallo, Bamba Dieng, Keita Balde, Famara Diedhiou, Sadio Mane.
4. The Netherlands
The Netherlands are the only European representative in Group A. Der Orange are also the main favorite to advance to the knockout phase.
On paper, the power of the Netherlands is one level better than its three rivals. Louis van Gaal’s team are also the most experienced in the World Cup finals
If they are able to show their best quality, the Netherlands should be able to progress smoothly in this group. It possible that Virgil van Dijk and his team can celebrate goals often.
The Netherlands came to Qatar with high targets. They want to erase the title of champion without a crown by winning the title.
Coach: Louis van Gaal
Key Players: Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay, Denzel Dumfries, Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch
Captain: Virgil van Dijk
Dutch National Team Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow, Jasper Cillessen, Mark Flekken, Andries Noppert, Remko Pasveer.
Defenders: Nathan Ake, Mitchel Bakker, Daley Blind, Sven Botman, Matthijs de Ligt, Stefan de Vrij, Denzel Dumfries, Jeremie Frimpong, Tyrell Malacia, Devyne Rensch, Pascal Struijk, Jurrien Timber, Micky van de Ven, Virgil van Dijk.
Midfielders: Steven Berghuis, Jordy Clasie, Frenkie de Jong, Marten de Roon, Ryan Gravenberch, Davy Klaassen, Teun Koopmeiners, Xavi Simons, Kenneth Taylor, Guus Til.
Forwards: Steven Bergwijn, Brian Brobbey, Luuk de Jong, Arnaut Danjuma, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Vincent Janssen, Noa Lang, Donyell Malen, Wout Weghorst.